Thursday, February 26, 2009

Russia to Develop Strategic Nuclear Forces Despite Deficit

From Voice Of America:

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov says development of his country's strategic nuclear forces will be the government's top military procurement priority in 2009. Ivanov's statement was made while Russia faces a budget deficit and its defense industry says it is having trouble getting loans due to the global economic crisis.

Addressing lawmakers in the lower house of the Russian Parliament, Sergei Ivanov said Russia's military industrial complex has been considerably less affected by the global economic crisis than the country's civilian industries. The reason, he says, is simple - defense industries are funded by the state budget.

Read more ....

More News On Russia's Nuclear Strategic Forces And The Russian Military

Russia to continue modernizing its nuclear deterrent - deputy PM -- RIA Novosti

Russia focuses on upgrading its nuclear arsenals -- AP
Russia to focus on upgrading its nuclear arsenal, also plans new fighter jet and smart weapons -- Kyiv Post
Russia to update its entire nuclear arsenal and introduce intellectual arms by 2020 -- Pravda
Third of Arms Firms Face Bankruptcy -- Moscow Times

My Comment: The Russians are upgrading their nuclear strategic forces. The Chinese are in the next level of modernizing their strategic forces. The Americans .... nothing.

Upgrading U.S. strategic forces has been a priority for Sec. of Defense Gates, but there is nothing in the 2010 Defense budget to accommodate these needs.

But in all fairness, the U.S. has been focusing on other aspects of their military, while the Russians have focused only on their nuclear forces, and the Chinese have been approaching their forces on multiple levels. But there will be a day of reckoning when the U.S. will need to upgrade and/or modernize their strategic nuclear forces. When that day will come will probably be sooner rather than later.

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